ANOTHER 'BOGGY DEPOT' REVIEW
by Michael Moses
From BAM Magazine • March 27, 1998
Contributed by Suzi
It should come as no surprise that Jerry Cantrell's solo album sounds like Alice In Chains minus lead singer Layne Staley. What did you expect? AIC drummer Sean Kinney plays on 10 of the album's 12 tracks, bassist Mike Inez plays on three, and the album was produced by noted AIC collaborator Toby Wright.
Despite these contributing factors, Cantrell's guitar-playing gives the album its flavor. Alice In Chains have always been Jerry's kids; he's been both the glue and the chief songwriter since day one. Left to his own devices and, more importantly, free of the drug-laden baggage that seems permanently attached to Staley, Cantrell steps to the front here without skipping a beat. Showing both sides of his musical personality - the earnest, country-boy folkie (Between) and the angst-ridden rocker (Cut You In) - Cantrell manages to imbue a sense of sadness into just about everything he plays. And, while some of the songs would arguably sound better with Staley on vocals, Cantrell proves he can definitely handle the frontman role.
